Circulation, Vol 90, 1194-1199, Copyright © 1994 by American Heart Association
AM van Rij, C Solomon, SG Packer and WG Hopkins
BACKGROUND: The use of repeated intravenous infusions of EDTA, which has
become known as "chelation therapy," has been promoted for treating
intermittent claudication as well as a wide range of other disorders.
Multiple reports of excellent results in large numbers of patients have
encouraged the use of this regimen. The lack of well-controlled studies
substantiating the benefits of this treatment has limited its use mainly to
private clinics. The aim of the study was to assess the benefits of
chelation therapy in patients with intermittent claudication. METHODS AND
RESULTS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial included 32 patients
with intermittent claudication who were randomized to a treatment group
(15) and a control group (17). Main outcome measures were subjective and
measured walking distances and ankle/brachial pulse indices. Other outcome
measures included lifestyle and subjective parameters of improvement,
cardiac function, ECG, renal function, hematology, blood glucose, and lipid
biochemistry. No clinically significant differences in main outcome
measures between chelation therapy and placebo groups were detected up to 3
months after treatment. Measures of mood state, activities of daily living,
and quality of life factors were not consistently affected by chelation
therapy. An equal proportion (13%) of each group thought that they had
received the active agent. The proportion of patients showing an
improvement in walking distance was not significantly different between the
chelation group (60%) and the control group (59%). CONCLUSIONS: Chelation
therapy has no significant beneficial effects over placebo in patients with
intermittent claudication.
ARTICLES
Chelation therapy for intermittent claudication. A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial
Department of Surgery, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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